Polarized electromagnetic control device



Nov. 30, i948. c. R. MASON 2,454,973.

POLARIZED ELECTROKAGNETIQ CONTROL DEVICE med nec. 1, 1944 Inventor:

Charles R. Mason,

H15 Attorneg.

Patented Nov. 30, 1948 POLARIZED ELECTROMAGETIC CONTROL DEVICE Charles R. Mason, Ballston Spa, N. Y., asslgnor to New York General Electric Company, a corporation of Application December 1, 1944, serial No. 566,061 l My invention relates to improvements in electromagnets and more particularly to polarized electromagnets for direct current energized control devices such as relays and the like.

In the control of the switching of direct current v4 Claims. (Cl. 175-339) generators on multi-engine aircraft, many problems arise in consequence of the parallel operation of the generators. Under light loads such as occur in ordinary flying, there is a tendency `to interchange of currents since relatively small differences in regulated voltage produce large interchange of current due to the low resistance of the circuit. In consequence of this, particularly if one generator is started and switched over at somethingl less than full voltage while other generators on the same-bus are operating at full voltage, the usual reverse current cutout devices employed operate so frequently as quickly to shorten their useful life. Such frequent operation because of its rapidity is known to the art as chatten In order to avoid these diiiiculties, it has been found desirable to replace the usual reverse current cutout device by a differential device which responds to the difference between the generator voltage and the system voltage to connect the generator to the system only when the generator voltage exceeds the system voltage by a small amount. With suchdifferential devices, chatter is eliminated. Alsoshock and the limitations imposed by space and weight factors have to be given careful consideration. In order to be satisfactory, such differential d-evices require a high sensitivity of response and relatively large contact movement, which in turn means a relatively large armature movement. Moreover, since relatively large operating forces are needed, it is necessary to utilize for operating windings as much as possible cf the limited space available. Furthermore,- it is necessary to minimize the weight of all the parts and so to balance the movable parts as to reduce the susceptibility to false operation by shock.

An object of my invention is to provide an improved direct current electromagnet which is particularly adapted for the differential control of the paralleling of direct current generators. Another object of my invention is to provide an improved highly sensitive electromagnetic control device'which is compact, light in Weight, and

substantially free from false operation underv shocks and vibrations. Still another object. lof

v my invention is to provide an improved highly sensitive permanent magnet polarized direct current electromagnetic device, the armature of which is arranged to have a relatively large movement without touching its cooperating pole pieces. A further object of my invention is to provide an improved permanent magnet polarized direct current electromagnetic device, the armature of which is arranged to function as a part of the movable circuit controlling member. These and other objects of my invention will appear in more detail hereinafter.

In accordance with my invention, I provide a direct current electromagnet in which two magnetic members, each provided with two spaced pole pieces, are positioned with their pole pieces opposed and spaced to provide air gaps by a plurality of permanent magnets which present like poles of one polarity to one of the magnetic members and like poles of opposite polarity to the other member. Also inJ accordance with my invention, I provide a resilient pivotal Supportbetween the magnetic members intermedlately of the two pairs of opposed pole pieces for an armature of magnetic material having its ends movable in unstable magnetic attractive relation from a neutral position in the gaps between the pole pieces toward each pair of diagonally opposite pole pieces so as to partially neutralize the reversely unbalanced torque effect produced by the permanent magnets on the armature and thereby obtain increased sensitivity in the electromagnetic operation of the armature. Further in accordance with my invention, I provide operating winding means around the armature and between the members for effecting movement of the armature towards each pair of diagonally opposite pole pieces in dependence on the direction of current flow in the winding means.

My invention will be better understood from the lfollowing description when considered in` indicated by the arrows; Fig. 4 is a perspective Y view of the armature fulcrum support shown in Figs. 1-3; Fig. 5 is a detail illustrating an adjustable mounting for the fulcrum support shown in Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a circuit diagram of a direct current generator control system using a differential relay embodying my invention; and Figs. 7

In the accompanying drawing,l I have illustrated an embodiment of my invention in a direct current polarized relay comprising two magnetic members I and 2 respectively provided with two,

spaced magnetic pole pieces 3, 4 and 5, 6 extending from one side of the respectively associated member. These pole pieces may be integral with their respectively associated members but, as shown, are separate magnetic elements secured to the respectively associated members land 2/ by suitable fastening means such as screws l. The members i and 2 are positioned with their respective pole pieces opposed and spaced to provide suitable air gaps by a plurality of bar-type permanent magnets 8, 9, I6 and II mounted between the members to present like poles or one polarity to one of the members and like poles ci opposite polarity to the other of the members.

In order to obtain the desired intensity of permanent magnet flux with minimum weight and space, I prefer to use permanent magnets of the alloy type such, for example, as Alnico. Because ci the diillculty or performing certain machining operations on such magnetic alloys, I provide a relatively simple arrangement which requires only that the ends of the permanent magnets il, il, lli and if] be ground substantially nat, an operation which is readily practical on such magnetic alloys. Thus, as shown, for such, an arrangement, li preferably make the members i and 2 in the form oi, substantially rectangular plates which are stamped to provide a central portion l2, having a raised outer rim ill, the corners of which serve to retain the permanent magnets in their respective positions when the members i and 2 are held together by suitable means such as clamping screws i il.

In accordance with my invention, an armature I5, preferably of low retentivity magnetic ma= terial, is pivotally supported between the magmv netic members i and t intermediately oi the two pairs of opposed pole pieces 3, E and Il,

with its end portions movable in the air gaps -a lbetween the pole pieces toward diagonally op1 posite pole pieces. In order to have the armature i available as a movable circuit control ling member and a live part or the circuit con trolled by the armature in its movement and further to insure a simple, rugged and readily adjustable mounting, I provide an insulated torsion spring type oi mounting. As shown, this mounting comprises an insulating support it? which is secured to the lower side of the plate I preferably with an intervening metallic bearirg element Il by suitable means such as screws I l For pivotally supporting the armature i5 on the support I6, I provide, as shown in the illus'A trated embodiment of my invention, a ilat spring I9 in the form of a cross, one armor which extends lengthwise of the armature I5 and is secured thereto by suitable means such as rivets 20. The other arm or the spring I8 extends transversely of the armature I5 across a fulcruming notch 2i in the support I6 and is firmly secured thereto by suitable means such as screws 22 extending through a terminal member 23 and spacers 24. In order to obtain the nearest to a line pivotal action with the spring I9, the sides 25 of the notch 2l are cut bacli to a V- shapey to provide line bearing edges 26, as shown spring I9 to the neutral position of the amature plate I but so bearing on the support plate I1 that, support I8- can Abe canted to by loosening the screws I8, the armature the right or left,

` as shown more clearly ln Fig. 5.

In order to prevent the armature I5 from comlng into magnetic and conducting contact with the pole pieces 3, 4, 5 and 6, I provide the leithand end of the armature with an insulating element 29-which may be molded in place as indicated. This insulating element 28 is movable between two adjustably positioned stops such as\ screws 30 and 3| respectively mounted in selflocking nuts 32 and 33 which are respectively secured to the magnetic plates I and 2. For current conducting purposes, the armature I5 is provided with a leaf spring contact arm 34 which is secured to the armature between a backing member 35 and the biasing spring I9 by the rivets di?. The contact arm 34 carries a suitable contact such as a button 35 of palladium which does not readily develop metallic salts of high resistance. Also, the contact arm 34 is looped over the end of the armature, as shown, for limited wiping movement relatively to the armature. Cooperating with the movable contact 38 is a stationary contact 3l which, for purposes oi adjustment, may be a palladium-tipped screw adiustably positioned in a self-locking nut 38 secured to the magnetic plate 72.y

For actuating the armature it in dependence on predetermined conditions ci a direct current circuit, I provide actuating means such as one or more energizing windings 39 and 40 around the armature and between the magnetic plates Il and for controlling the movement of the armature in dependence on. the direction of current owin the winding and the position of the armature relatively to diagonally opposite pole pieces 8, E and il, As shown, the winding 39 is a relatively high resistance winding of many turns. This Winding lili may be termed a differential coil. As shown, the winding is a low resistance single turn winding which may be termed a series coil. It will be apparent that because of the arrangement of parts there is sucient winding space on opposite sides of the armature pivotal support and ybetween the plates i and 2 for these windings 39 and 40. For simplicity in mounting, the winding 39 is wound on a spool li 'of insulating material. This spool is positioned between metallic side plates 42 lill'.

more clearly in Fig. 4. In order to adjust the which are shaped to it the transverse contour of the plates i and 2 so as to be locked in position when the clamping screws I4 are tightened. An insulating plate 43 is positioned between the armature pivotal support and the right-hand plate t2 to prevent any possibility of shortening the armature to the plate 42. The winding 40 is provided with heavy current capacity leads 4d and 45 which may be secured to the relay base, not shown. Also, the' terminal 45 may have an enlarged rounded end 46 for a terminal connection. For mounting the electromagnet on a suitable base, I provide means such as brackets 41 and 48 respectively secured to the magnetic plates I and 2 by theleft-handclamping screws I4, one of which is provided with a nut 48 for this purpose.

The operation ci' devices embodying my Invention will be better vunderstood from a considera- 5 tion of the schematic illustrations shown in Figs. 7 and 8. First, it will be assumed that the permanent magnets 8, 9, I and II present north poles to the magnetic plate 2 and south poles to the magnetic plate I. In Fig. 7, it will be assumed that the armature I is positioned as shown in Fig. 1 and neither of the windings 39 and 40 is energized. Under these conditions, the major portion of the iiow of flux due to the permanent magnets is as indicated by the arrows on the solid lines. Under these conditions, it' will be obvious that the iiux due to the permanent magnets tends to hold the armature in the contact open position. If now the winding I9 is energized by a current flowing in a direction to produce in the armature a iiux flowing in the direction indicated by the arrows on the dotted lines, that is, opposed to the permanent magnet flux ilowing in the amature, then the bucking eiect of the ilux produced by the winding 39 will, if great enough, so decrease the attractions at the diagonally opposite poles 4 and 5 and so increase the attractions at the diagonally opposite poles 3 and 6 as to effect clockwise movement of the armature to the position shown in Fig. 8. By this movement of the armature, it will be observed that the solid line flux due to the permanent magnets reverses its direction of ilow through the armature to act cumulatively with the armature flux caused by the winding 39, thus maintaining the armature in the closed circuit position.

Assuming the armature I5 in the position shown in Fig. 8 and that flux in the armature due to the winding 40 is also in the direction indicated by the arrows on the broken lines in Fig. 8, then the armature I5 tends to remain in the closed circuit position shown in Fig. 8. If, however, current should reversev in the winding I0 so as to reverse the direction of ilow of broken line iiux in the armature, then, il thisux is great enough, it will result in moving the armature from its position adjacent the poles 3 and 5 to its position adjacent the poles l and 5 shown in Fig. 1. f

If, in either position of the armature with its ends adjacent diagonally opposite pole pieces, the windings 39 and .lll are deenerglzed, no change in position of the armature will occur because the permanent magnet flux will hold the armature. In other words, the relative torque effects of the spring I9 and the permanent magnets 8, 3, I0 and II are such as to retain the armature I5 in position adjacent that pair of diagonally opposite pole pieces to which it was last moved when the windings are deenergized. In this connection, it is to be 'noted that the biasing eiect of the armature mounting spring I9 is a neutralizing force tending to decrease the effective attractive eil'ort of the permanent magnets at substantially the same rate of variation as the attractive eiort in order to obtain maximum sensitivity. For'thls purpose, the no stressed position of the spring I9 should be adjusted to correspond as nearly as possible to the neutral position of the armature I5 relatively to the opposed pole pieces.

In the application of my invention shown ln Fig. 6, a direct current generator 50 is to be connected to load buses 5I and 52 only when the generator voltage exceeds the bus voltage Csumciently to supply some current to the load which is indicated in part as a storage battery 53; The

diiIerential winding 39 of the device shown in3 Figs. 1, 2 and 3 is connected in series between the generator positive terminal and the bus 5I through a ballast resistance 5l which is preferably a non-linearly variable positive tempera.-I ture coemcient resistance such, for example, as a tungsten lamp having .a cold resistance substantially equal to the resistance of the differential coil 99. When the voltage across the winding 39 is in the right direction and suilicient to insure that the generator voltage is high enough to supply current to the load, then the armature I5 is moved to the closed circuit position asde- .scribed in connection with Figs. '7 and 8. 'Under these conditions and assuming that the manual starting switch 55 is closed, the circuit of the energizing winding 5B of a contacter 51 will be completed across the generator 5D through the contacts 35 and 31 of the differential device embodying my invention, whereupon the contactor 51 is operated to close its contacts 58 and by-pass the winding 33 and the resistance 54 through the series coil 40. As long as current flows in this series coil 40 from the generator 50 to the bus 5I, the armature I5 will be retained in the closed circuit position. If for any reason, such as a fault in the generator 5@ or a reduction in -its voltage below a predetermined value, current ilow is reversed in the series coil 40, the armature I5 will be quickly returned to its initial or circuit open position in the manner explained in connection with Figs. 7 and 8. When the armature is returned to its initial position, the circuit of the energizing winding of the contacter 51 is lnterrupted at the contacts 33 and 31 to drop out the contacter and thereby to restore the difierentlal winding 39 and the resistance 54 as a by-pass around the open contacts or the contactor' 51. With the opening of the contactor contacts 58, the generator is effectively taken off the load bus 5I, 52 as far as supplying load is concerned. 2

It will be observed that if the battery switch 59 were closed by the operator in charge of the system while the enginewhich drives the generator- 5D is idle, full battery voltage would be applied to the diierential coil 39 if it were not for the resistance 54 because of the low resistance of the idle generator. A worse condition could happen if the engine were started and the generator built up in the wrong direction because there would then be the sum of the generator and battery voltages applied across the differential coil circuit, This would be about twice normal voltage and without the resistance 54 would be dangerous for the differential winding 39. If the generator voltage regulator were to fail While the generator ls being driven, approximately twice generator voltage plus bus voltage would occur across the differential coil because without voltage regulation the generator maximum voltage is about twice its normal voltage. It will therefore be apparent that the function of the ballast resistor 54 is to protect the differential winding 39 under abnormal voltage conditions so as not to interfere with the proper operation of the diierential relay device. It will be apparent from the foregoing that, with devices embodying my invention, repeated closing and opening of the contacts 38 and 3l when one generatorl such as 50, is started while others, not shown, on the same bus 5I, 52 are operating on full voltage is prevented. Moreover, the starting generator is switched onto the bus only when its voltage is just sui'llcient to supply current to the bus.

While I have shown and described l,my invention in considerable detail. I do not desire to be 

